Hey all!
I`m new to the violin now, but I`m loving it! However, I have the hardest time with my pinky finger getting to the fourth position. Are there any finger exercises that would help my finger to be more flexible and get a better reach?

Fourth finger IS more difficult. That isn`t called fourth position, by the way.

Liz

Just practice setting your pinky down about twenty or more times a day. Don`t worry, it does not take long. (Open A, fourth finger, open A, fourth finger, etc.) It helps if you have a sticker or tape in place. Once you have done this for awhile, the muscles in your hand/finger memorize where to land. Also, practice putting it down right after you have played another finger. I am in no way saying if you do this it will make the problem go away, but it seems to help all my students. Here is a quick lesson in positions:
First position: Place your first finger where your first finger goes.
Second position: Place your first finger where your second finger goes.
Third position: Place your first finger where your third finger goes.
Fourth position: Place your first finger where your fourth finger goes.
In my opinion, any positions after fourth are really just a big bother. Good luck! Tootles.

Hold your instrument (you won`t need your bow) and keep your left hand curved over the fingerboard. Place your first two fingers into position, keeping the third and fourth curled. Then, place both third and fourth down together, and lift again. Repeat this for awhile -- the third finger will give the fourth support. Then, try the same exercise with just your fourth finger. You can even do something like this without an instrument if you curve your fingers and lift them over your palm.

Fourth finger will come in time; you should make sure your hand is properly curved over the instrument or you may be having more trouble than is necessary. Bring your elbow underneath the instrument and bring your hand around more -- this may help you, too.

And to respond to the other people -- you should know 1st, 3rd, and 5th positions very well. You should later learn 2nd and 4th. You will also need to know 7th. All positions are important if you want to play any really good music. The odd positions are most important to know.

Try finger exercises by Sevcik opus 1 part 1. Just play the notes on the first four lines, first page. It is very repititive, but press on and keep playing it for many months, incresing the tempo as you get more and more familiar. I gurantee that every of your fingers will become very nimble and of course strong, and later on when you learn vibrato, you will have a very nice and even vibrato.

just try doing that thing people say is the alien sign and put you r ring and middle finger together and pinky and pointer apart that should help you get your pinky across